LMGI Makes Its Mark at Oklahoma Film & Music Day

Read the full story on Compass By Rebekka Rea/LMGI

The LMGI made its first official appearance at Oklahoma Film & Music Day on April 7, 2026. Organized by the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) in partnership with the Oklahoma City Film & Creative Industries Office, Cherokee Film, and the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture, the annual event is one of the state’s most visible showcases of its creative economy. More than 55 exhibitors filled the Capitol’s second-floor rotunda, drawing legislators, filmmakers, musicians and industry professionals from across Oklahoma. This year, the Guild had a seat at that table for the first time—and I was there to see it.

Gov. Kevin Stitt, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinell and Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner opened the day, followed by a rendition of the national anthem by Krystal Keith, daughter of Oklahoma’s Toby Keith. Oklahoma City actor James Austin Kerr (Law & Order, Criminal Minds, NCIS) captured the mood: “There’s a sense of optimism that I haven’t felt in a while. The rest of the world may be on fire, but film’s actually doing OK.”

I remember the first time I attended Oklahoma Film & Music Day. I didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t sure how seriously legislators would take a room full of filmmakers and musicians, but I arrived prepared—with talking points, my personal film story and a clear intent to advocate. Walking into the rotunda, I became a tourist in my own hometown. The murals lining the walls tell Oklahoma’s history—who we are, where we came from, what we’ve been through. Looking around, I realized we’re doing the same thing, just with cameras and microphones instead of paint.

The decisions made under that dome—the funding, the policies, the support—often determine whether those stories reach an audience. Seen that way, Film & Music Day isn’t just a showcase. It’s advocacy. It’s visibility. It’s a seat at the table where our industry’s future is shaped. That’s why having the LMGI in the room matters.

That point landed when Lt. Gov. Matt Pinell stopped by our booth. We’ve crossed paths before, so I introduced him to Andrea Keener/LMGI and noted she had flown in from Georgia for the event. He told us how meaningful it was to see the Guild represented, adding that the presence of an international organization like the LMGI sends a strong signal about Oklahoma’s film industry. It was one of those moments where you think: this is why we show up.

The Night Before: Building Community at Rodeo Cinema

The story really began the night before (April 6), at Rodeo Cinema in Oklahoma City’s Stockyards City District. Oklahoma’s oldest independent theater, it carries real soul and deep ties to the local creative community. Andrea flew in that afternoon, and together, we hosted an inclusive industry mixer that’s still generating compliments.

We pulled the event together in three days. It wouldn’t have happened without our sponsors. Jill Simpson, Executive Director of the Oklahoma City Film & Creative Industries Office, was instrumental. She brings both deep expertise and genuine enthusiasm to everything she touches. Reel Film Catering kept everyone fed and happy—which as any location manager knows, is essential.

Andrea’s presence also brought valuable perspective. Based in Atlanta and serving on the LMGI Board, she has watched the Georgia film industry navigate a significant slowdown. She noted, “There was a much smaller event held at the Georgia State Capitol this year, but it was not as robust as what Oklahoma has been doing. I would love to see something similar take place in Georgia; an opportunity to showcase all the people, businesses and organizations that support our industry, and that our industry supports. What the Oklahoma Film + Music Office has done is really something other state film offices could model.”

That validation mattered—not just to me, but to Oklahoma’s film community, which has been steadily building something sustainable. What we have here is more than incentives or a film office—it’s an ecosystem: state agencies, city film offices, tribal nations, industry organizations and now the Guild, working in coordination. Hearing that from outside the state made me proud to be an Oklahoman and an LMGI member.

I’ve lived and worked in Oklahoma my entire career. I’ve scouted here, managed locations here, and watched the state evolve from overlooked to in demand. Killers of the Flower Moon, Tulsa King, Twisters, Reservation Dogs and The Lowdown have all brought new attention to what Oklahoma can offer.

Having the LMGI show up—with a table, a mixer and a Board member who flew in because she believed it was worth it—sends a clear message to the Oklahoma location community: The Guild sees them and is invested in growing alongside them. That matters.

To Jeanette Stanton, Yousef Kazemi and the Oklahoma Film + Music Office; Jill Simpson and the Oklahoma City Film & Creative Industries Office; Rodeo Cinema; and Reel Film Catering—thank you for showing up and making the mixer possible. To the LMGI Board and to Andrea Keener/LMGI, thank you for making the trip and lending your voice. And to everyone who came out to Rodeo Cinema or stopped by our table at the Capitol: We see you, we’re here and we’re just getting started.

Read the full story on Compass